The Department of Labor and Employment has assumed jurisdiction of the labor dispute between Central Negros Electric Cooperative and the CENECO Union of Rational Employees and called for a meeting between the two parties on Tuesday, August 7.
The Notice of Order issued by Labor and Employment Sec. Bienvenido Laguesma said any intended strike will not be allowed while maintaining the prevailing terms and conditions of the CENECO workers.
The assumption of jurisdiction was attributed to the nature of the business and industry CENECO operates, as work stoppage can disrupt economic and social activities, it said.
In June, CURE filed a notice of strike due to alleged union busting, dismissal of union officers and members due to the joint venture agreement entered by CENECO, and unlawful interference in the internal affairs of the union.
The notice also stated that CENECO has 394 employees and 320 of those are members of CURE. It added that of the 320, 189 voted in favor of conducting a strike.
However, the allegations made by CURE to conduct a strike were contested by by CENECO management.
Despite a series of conciliation-mediation conferences conducted by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board, both parties were steadfast in their claims, the 5-page notice of order also stated.
Both parties will be called to the Office of Labor Secretary of the Aug. 7 in Intramuros, Manila, to “expedite the resolution of the dispute.”
CENECO General Manager Arnel Lapore said management will attend the conference.
He hopes that the issues stated as the grounds for the filing of a notice to strike will be resolved during the meeting, Lapore said.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said CENECO is a public utility so the DOLE’s assuming jurisdiction of the dispute in necessary.
This will ensure that CENECO’s operations will not be hampered, he said.
Meanwhile, the mayor said he was informed that the cleansing of the list of CENECO consumer-members is almost finished.
It is possible that the plebiscite of the CENECO joint venture agreement could take place in August, he said.*